Jury Duty in Iowa

Horta77

Hi all and thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide. I am new to this forum but not new to caregiving. I have been caring for my Father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer for the last 5 years. He was diagnosed 8 years ago and is reaching the late stage in the diseases progression. I live in Iowa and have been recently summoned for jury duty. Iowa code allows for one to be excused from jury duty under IC 607a.5 which says in part

" the person is solely responsible for the daily care of a
person with a permanent disability living in the person’s household and that the performance
of juror service would cause substantial risk of injury to the health of the person with a
disability,"

I should also mention that I am married and my wife works part time and is also physically unable to perform the heavy lifting required and I don't even want to consider what might happen if she were alone and left to clean up any bathroom accidents that might arise in my absence.

I requested to be excused and it appears to me that the clerk who denied my claim was following some kind of internal policy document that says that the request should be denied if there is another family member available to provide care. (my wife is not able to do so). I should probably back up for a minute. The denial came in the form of a voice mail and a text message and neither of these included the reason for the denial. When I finally reached the clerk to inquire as to the reason for the denial I had to ask 3 times before I the person began to quote this internal policy document. I must admit by this time I was aggravated and my voice had begun to rise ( no cursing or name calling was involved). When I interrupted the person again they indicated a lack of time to discuss the issue so I politely asked to be contacted when time was available. Its only been a half day so far but I have to report for jury duty beginning March 2 and I am of course rather anxious about the situation.

Anyway, sorry about the long post. Has anyone else had any experience with a jury duty summons while providing care for their loved one? If so how did it go? Were you able to get dismissed? If so what did you do?

I plan to right my state representative and senator today, Is anyone aware of other resources I might reach out to for assistance? Contacting a lawyer just feels so extreme in this case.

Thanks again for any help you can provide.

towhee

Try a doctor's note specifying the type of care involved and that your wife is physically unable/untrained for this type of care. You might have to pay for this. Your wife's doctor might also have to weigh in.

Victoriaredux

Not a lawyer but here is what I found : https://www.iowabar.org/?pg=JurorInformation

You said: "if there is another family member available to provide care. (my wife is not able to do so). "

Perhaps if your wife wrote a signed statement that while she is in the household she CANNOT provide the physicality that this level care giving requires & that it is constant and unpredictable- i.e. can't be delayed until the evening-- your skills are required all day or the family member would be at risk.

Then you put a cover note over it with all the file numbers on it so it isn't misplaced.

If they reject THAT , ask for the denial in writing, then I'd get graphic - your Dad could fall in waste , your wife can't lift or clean him , etc etc . I hope it doesn't get there.

Keep a paper trail.

ADDED:

https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/Medical_Excuse_Form_2024_DEC62C43150A8.pdf

Since the form, which really doesn't apply here but shows their desired level of info, says no medical info desired I'd try to not get Doctors involved. Would your Dad's doctor know your wife's ability etc etc . just creates a bigger mess.

Just what you needed eh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgoWxT1PMc

Horta77

Thanks for the info all. My senator suggest I apply for a one year extension which I have done. So we kicked the can down the road which buys me time to work on the rest. My big issue is that they have not provided me any reason for the denial.

SDianeL

this from AI:

• Is solely responsible for the daily care of a person with a permanent disability living in the person’s household and jury service would cause substantial risk of injury to the health of the person with a disability (written verification) and is not employed outside of the home.